Transmission of an operating order via an A.C. supply line

• US 6,465,903 B1
• Filed: 06/21/1999
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Wuidart, Luc, Bardouillet, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, YOUNGHUIE JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US09/336,299
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 323/266, 323/299, 323/303, 363/34, 363/39, 363/44, 363/84, 363/86, 315/307, 315/311, 340/310.01, 340/310.02, 307/3, 307/149
• US Class Current: 307/3
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0001 using modification of a parameter of the network power signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/52 Outage or fault management, e.g. fault detection or location
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transmitter of an analog order over an A.C. supply line meant for a load, including a one-way conduction element in parallel with a resistive element having a value that is a function of the analog order to be transmitted.

Claims

1. A transmitter of an analog order over an A.C. supply line for a load, including a one-way conduction element in parallel with a resistive element having a value that is a function of the analog order to be transmitted.

2. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the resistive element and its value variation range are chosen to reduce the energy dissipation when conducting a current.

3. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the one-way conduction element is formed of a diode.

4. The transmitter of claim 3, wherein the resistive element of variable value is formed of a potentiometer.

5. The transmitter of claim 3, wherein the resistive element of variable value is formed of a MOS transistor and the diode is formed by the intrinsic diode of the MOS transistor.

6. A method for transmitting an information signal over an A.C. supply line that carries an A.C. voltage having a first half wave and a second half-wave, comprising the steps of:

varying a peak amplitude of the first half-wave of the A.C. voltage on the A.C. supply line in proportion to an amplitude of the information signal;

extracting the information signal from the peak amplitude; and

extracting a supply voltage of the A.C. supply line from the second half-wave.